6 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Tour Lemosho
brief overview
On the less frequented Lemosho Route, your Kilimanjaro trekking tour begins on the west side of the mountain. We recommend this option for nature lovers as you have a good chance of seeing Colobus monkeys, lizards and rare birds such as the Lobelia Sunbird (also known as Malachite Sunbird) in the pristine mountain rainforest. The first 2 days of the tour cross the thick rainforest belt, which turns into heath land after the tree line. The small path has sometimes very steep passages and leads through varied landscapes.
On the 3rd day of the tour this trail connects with the Machame Route, so the advantage of the lower load is unfortunately only at the beginning. In contrast to the Rongai Route, this trail offers better opportunities for acclimatization, especially if you extend your ascent by an extra day.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha / Moshi
Transfer from Kilimanjaro airport or Arusha bus terminal (e.g. from Nairobi) to your accommodation in Moshi or Arusha.
Day 2: Arusha – Londorossi Gate (2,250 m) – Lemosho Clearing (2,385 m) – Big Tree Camp (2,780 m)
altitude Δ: 430 m, distance: approx. 7 km, time required: approx. 3 hours
After breakfast you will be picked up from your accommodation and driven to the Londorossi Gate entry point. After you have completed the formalities, you will register in the mountaineering book before entering the National Park. Afterwards you will go by 4×4 car for another 15 km on bad roads through dense rainforest to the Lemosho Clearing. Here your actual Kilimanjaro trekking tour begins. You will follow a pleasant path which will lead you through untouched mountain rainforest to Big Tree Camp, your destination for today. Since big game lives in this region, you will be accompanied by an armed ranger during the first 2 days of your tour. Dinner followed by an overnight stay in tents.
Day 3: Big Tree Camp (2,780 m) – Shira Camp (3,845 m)
altitude Δ: 840 m, distance: approx. 12 km, time required: approx. 7 hours
After a hearty breakfast your long hike today starts on a small path. During your hike the mountain rainforest decreases more and more. Finally you leave the tree line behind you and the landscape turns into heath and moorland. You will reach Shira Camp in about 4 – 5 hours. Your picnic place for lunch will give you a view of the Kibo peak and the Shira Plateau. The last part of today’s leg takes another 3 hours, but rewards you with a fantastic view of Mount Meru, the little brother of Kili. On the way you will admire the bizarre giant lobelias, which can grow up to 10 meters high. Dinner followed by an overnight stay at the Shira Campsite.
Day 4: Shira Camp (3,845 m) – Lava Tower (4,640 m) – Barranco Camp (3,960 m)
altitude Δ: ~100 m, distance: approx. 10 km, time required: approx. 6 hours
Today you will climb about 800 meters of altitude. Nevertheless, your destination for today is almost at the same altitude as your starting point, ideal for the acclimatization strategy “climb high and sleep low”. The hike begins with a long hike over the Shira Plateau towards the Lava Tower. The route leads through the extensive Barranco Valley with its famous alpine climate zone with many unique plants. After 6 hours you reach the Barranco Camp. Dinner followed by an overnight stay in tents.
Day 5: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) – Barafu Camp (4,640 m)
altitude Δ:. 650 m, distance: approx. 9 km, time required: approx. 7 hours
After your breakfast the ascent from Barranco Camp starts at the Great Barranco Wall, then continues to Karanga Valley Camp (4070 m). This site is challenging but offers great views of the southern glaciers of Kibo. From Karanga Valley Camp we continue on a ridge to Barafu Camp (4600 m), your base camp before the summit ascent at night. Dinner followed by an overnight stay in tents.
Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Mweka Camp (3,080 m)
altitude Δ: 1560 m, distance: 17 km, time required: approx. 12 hours
Night ascent with flashlight from Barafu Camp in northwestern direction through scree, pebbles and snow towards the summit of Kilimanjaro (Kibo). After about 6 hours you will first reach Stella Point (5725 m) at the crater rim. Due to the altitude this is the most physically challenging part of the hike. With good visibility you will experience a magnificent sunrise here. From here you need another hour to reach the summit of Uhuru Peak. Now you stand on the roof of Africa and enjoy the best viewpoint of the African continent. Hongera sana (congratulations) on a successful Kilimanjaro Tour. Then you descend to Barafu Camp, rest there a little and continue to descend to Mweka Camp (3100 m).
Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,080 m) – Mweka Gate (1,630 m) – Arusha / Moshi
altitude Δ: 1600 m, distance: approx. 10 km, time required: approx. 3 hours
The last stage of your hike begins after a hearty breakfast. Afterwards you will walk gently downhill through the tropical rainforest to Mweka Gate. Your faithful mountain crew will bid you farewell here with a traditional ceremony. Afterwards you will be brought to your accommodation and toast your success with a well-deserved drink.
Day 8: Arusha / Moshi
After breakfast transfer to the central bus station, to the airline office in the city for your shuttle bus to the airport or extension e.g. Northern Circuit Safari or onward flight to Zanzibar.
If you want even more details and a personal look at this Lemosho Kilimanjaro Trekking Tour, you can read this Mountain Journal / Diary.
